Sharks and Blitzboks star Luan Giliomee has been named in a 45-man Junior Boks squad for an U20 Rugby Championship training camp.
Giliomee is equally comfortable at fullback, where he made his Vodacom URC debut for the Sharks two weeks ago, and at flyhalf.
Vodacom Bulls wing Cheswill Jooste was not considered for this training camp due to his URC commitments.
However, the squad includes four players who attended the recent Springbok alignment camp – lock Riley Norton, who captained the Junior Boks to the world title last year in Italy, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, prop Kai Pratt and centre Markus Muller.
The Junior Boks squad will gather in Stellenbosch for a two-week camp from 6-19 April.
Thereafter it will be reduced to 31 players for the third U20 Rugby Championship which will be staged in Gqeberha and features the four Rugby Championship nations in South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia. The tournament kicks off on Freedom Day on 27 April.
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Sharks flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who is recovering from hip surgery, has also been included in the group for the first time this year. Although unlikely to feature in the U20 Rugby Championship, he will continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Junior Boks medical team.
The Junior Boks will take part in daily field and gym sessions in Stellenbosch, as well as two training chukkas against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington. A similar training drill is planned against Eastern Province.
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Foote described the naming of the extended squad as another key step in the team’s build‑up toward the forthcoming tournament.
He added that the recent tour to Georgia had been a critical part of the team’s preparation, and that the Stellenbosch camp would sharpen their readiness further.
“Georgia gave us a great opportunity to play and grow together as a team, and to test our set-pieces against a formidable pack,” said Foote.
“Our objectives at this camp are to step up our fitness levels, physicality, and ball‑in‑play time.
“Playing southern hemisphere teams presents a different type of challenge. They produce far more ball‑in‑play time compared to the Georgians, who are heavily set‑piece orientated.”
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Foote added that their focus on conditioning was largely shaped by lessons learned in last year’s tournament.
“Our experience in Gqeberha was that the surface can be soft underfoot, which led to several players cramping,” said the coach. “So, we want to ensure our fitness levels match how we intend to play, especially against teams who favour a fast‑paced game.”
The tournament kicks off on 27 April, with the remaining match days scheduled for 3 and 9 May. All matches will be staged at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Junior Boks training squad
Props: Oliver Reid (Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), Jordan Jooste (Stormers), Cecil Parson (Lions); Danie Kruger (Stormers), Kai Pratt (Sharks), Luan van der Berg (Bulls), Bongani Dlamini (Bulls).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Lions), Altus Rabe (Stormers).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Riley Norton (Stormers), JD Hattingh (Lions), AJ Meyer (Stormers), Tom Barnard (Stormers).
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Luann Olivier (Sharks), Luke Canon (Lions), Thomas Beling (Bulls), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks), Sibusiso Mahlangu (Cheetahs), Bohlale Maphisa (Cheetahs), Gert Kemp (Stormers).
Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Bulls), Jayden Brits (Stormers), Jandrian Goosen (Bulls).
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Alzeadon Felix (Sharks).
Centres: Ethan Adams (Lions), Christian Vorster (Bulls), Winton Abrahams (CUT), Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers), Markus Muller (Stormers).
Outside backs: Dylan Miller (Stormers), Junaide Stuart (Bulls), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Lindsey Jansen (Bulls), Jack Benade (Stormers), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Jade Muller (Cheetahs).
Utility player: Luan Giliomee (Sharks)
Photo: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images
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